New Year’s Day 2019 will go down in history as “the day Ireland abandoned authentic human rights”, pro-lifers have said.

Terminations were introduced in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday 1st January 2019 following last year’s referendum vote, which saw a majority of the country voting to repeal Ireland’s life-affirming Eighth Amendment.

As of midnight on Tuesday abortions became available free of charge by the Irish national health service, GPs and family planning services as well as hospitals across the country.

Commenting on the day the new abortion law took effect, Dr Ruth Cullen, of the Pro Life Campaign, told The Catholic Universe: “Today will be remembered in years to come as the day Ireland abandoned authentic human rights, to sanction the direct and intentional killing of innocent human life.

“Voters were lied to every step of the way during the referendum campaign by abortion supporters. This will become very apparent once the new law is activated.”

Health Minister Simon Harris welcomed the introduction of the new abortion law, describing it as “momentous” and “a very significant day for women’s healthcare”.

However, Dr Cullen explained how the definition of termination of pregnancy in the new legislation says nothing about healthcare or the intervention being necessary to treat a pregnant woman.

“It simply defines abortion as a procedure ‘intended to end the life’ of an unborn baby. The intent here could not be clearer,” she said.

“It is a law built on a lie that will not make Ireland a kinder, gently, more compassionate place as some abortion advocates suggest.

“The fact that the Dáil refused to accept amendments like providing pain relief for unborn babies during late term abortions casts an even darker shadow over this barbaric law. It is a law that doesn’t show as much as a hint of mercy for unborn babies,” continued Dr Cullen.

“The pro-life movement is deeply saddened at what has happened to our country and about the loss of life that will inevitably result from this unjust law. We will fight on peacefully but ceaselessly to expose the lies that were told during the referendum campaign and we look forward to a brighter day at some point in the future when unborn babies in Ireland will once again be welcomed in life and protected in law,” she concluded.